Senegal faces a challenging path to qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 3-2 loss to Norway, marking their second defeat in as many group stage matches. Analyst Hervé Penot of L’Équipe suggests the scoreline was surprisingly favorable for Senegal, despite their evident struggles on the field. The team has conceded six goals in the tournament so far, exposing vulnerabilities in their defense. Penot believes Senegal needs significant changes, particularly leaning on younger players, to revitalize their performance. Veteran player Kalidou Koulibaly’s recent lack of playing time was cited as a contributing factor to his performance. Senegal must win their final group game against Iraq and rely on other results to have a chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.